Chapter Seven: Summary and Analysis

This chapter deals with the impact of external forces on Animal Farm—in particular, the impact of a harsh, unforgiving winter. At this point, Napoleon has completely forsaken honesty; he does not ever speak the truth to his animal subjects. Expectedly, the harsh winter makes it difficult for Napoleon to argue that the animals are flourishing under him. The farm also has to contend with a shortage of resources, and Napoleon thus finds it harder to project himself as a capable leader. He publicly maintains that there is an abundance of resources, while scrambling for resources behind the scenes.

In spite of his tricks, the animals feel the brunt of the harsh winter. There isn’t enough food to keep up the current ration levels, and Napoleon is forced to cut rations for a few animals, which places them at the brink of starvation. Napoleon, however, sees this as another opportunity to employ an exploitative tactic: he suggests that Animal Farm should start selling eggs to its neighbors. One may think that Orwell intends the eggs to be a metaphor for child labor or slavery, but this may be going too far. In any case, eggs are not just sellable products for the hens; they are their progeny. Naturally, the hens react negatively to this proposal. However, Napoleon crushes their protests and effectively silences them.

Meanwhile, Napoleon and Squealer continue to present Snowball as a vicious traitor. Despite lack of evidence, they try to convince the animals that Snowball is still conspiring to bring down the farm. Squealer even suggests that Snowball had helped Mr. Jones in the Battle of Cowshed, though many animals are aware that these are lies. In fact, some even remember Snowball, not Napoleon, being at the forefront of the fight against Mr. Jones. Snowball is still remembered by many as the actual hero. Though there is no merit to these accusations, they still help Napoleon harness the fear generated by silencing those who question his fabricated version. Dissent is now possibly fatal in the farm, and Napoleon’s dogs are always prepared to kill.

Like many dictators, Napoleon, too, starts to become a recluse. He rarely makes public appearances and, when he does, it is ceremonious in scale.